The select letters of Major Jack Downing :: :: University of Virginia Library

We delay this paper something beyond the usual hour
of publication in order to lay before our readers the important
intelligence received yesterday from Downingville.—This
we have been able to accomplish, tho' not
without extraordinary exertions and extra help. But
the crisis is important, we had almost said appalling,
and demands of every patriotic citizen of Maine the
highest sacrifices in his power to make. The important
proceedings of the grand convention at Downingville
reached here, by express, yesterday about a quarter before
8 o'clock, P. M. having travelled the whole distance
notwithstanding the extreme high temperature of the
weather, at the rate of thirteen and a half miles an hour.

And but for an unfortunate occurrence, it would undoubtedly
have reached here at least three hours earlier
Capt. Jehu Downing, who with his characteristic magnanimity
and patriotism volunteered to bring the express
the whole way, having taken a high spirited steed
for the first ten miles, was unfortunately thrown to the
ground in attempting to leap a barrier which lay across
the road. Two of his ribs were broken by the fall, and
his right arm so badly fractured that it is feared amputation
must be resorted to, besides several other severe
contusions on various parts of the body. We are happy
to hear however that Doctor Zachariah Downing, who
on hearing the melancholy intelligence very promptly
repaired to the spot to offer his professional services,
pronounces the Captain out of danger, and also that the
Captain bears his misfortune with his accustomed fortitude,
expressly declaring that the only regret he feels
on the occasion is the delay of the express. Here is
patriotism, a devotedness to the welfare of the country,
and to genuine democratic republican principles, worthy
of the days of the revolution.

Lieut. Timothy Downing forwarded the express the
remainder of the way with the utmost despatch, having
run down three horses, one of which died on the road.
—But we keep our readers too long from the gratifying
intelligence received.

Great Democratic National Republican Convention.

Downingville, Monday, July 19, 1830.

At a large and respectable meeting of the democratic
national republicans of Downingville and the neighboring
parts of the state, convened this day at the centre
school house, the meeting was called to order by the
venerable and silver-haired patriarch, old Mr. Zebedee
Downing, who had not been out to a political meeting
before for the last twenty-five years. The venerable old
gentleman stated in a few feeling remarks the object of

the meeting; that he had not meddled with politics since
the days of Jefferson: but that know in view of the awful
calamities which threatened to involve our country
in total ruin, he felt it his duty the little remaining time
he might be spared from the grave, to lift up his voice
and his example before his children, grand children, and
great grand children whom he saw gathered around him,
and encourage them to save the country for which he
had fought and bled in his younger years. After the
enthusiastic applause elicited by these remarks, the old
gentleman called for the nomination of a chairman,
and Joshua Downing, Esquire was unanimously called
to the chair, and Mr. Ephraim Downing appointed
Secretary.

On motion of Mr. Jacob Downing, voted, that a committee
of five be appointed to draft resolutions to lay
before this meeting. Whereupon, Jotham Downing.
Ichabob Downing, Zenas Downing, Levi Downing, and
Isaiah Downing, were appointed said committee, and
after retiring about five minutes they returned and reported
the following preamble and resolutions.

Whereas an awful crisis has arrived in the political
affairs of our country, our public men all having turned
traitors, and resolved to ruin the country, and make us
and our children all slaves forever; and whereas our
ship of state and our ship of the United States, are both
driven with tremendous violence before the fury of the
political tempest, and are just upon the point of being
dashed upon the breakers of political destruction; and
whereas, nothing short of the most prompt and vigorous
exertions of the patriotic democratic national republicans
of this state and of the United States can avert the
impending danger.

And whereas, the Jacksonites, and Adamsites, and
Huntonites, and Smithites, have so multiplied in the
land, and brought things to such a pass, that our liberties
are unquestionably about to receive their doom forever:

Therefore Resolved, that it is the highest and most

sacred duty of every patriotic Democratic National Republican
in the State, to arouse himself and buckle on
his political armour, and make one last, one mighty effort
to save the state and the country, and place the
constitution once more upon a safe and firm foundation.

Resolved, that the awful crisis of affairs in this State
requires a firm devoted patriot, a high-minded and gifted
statesman, and a uniform unwavering Democratic National
Republican, for chief magistrate.

Resolved, that in this awful crisis, we believe the eyes
of all true patriots are turned upon

THE HON. JACK DOWNING,

late of Downingville, but since last winter a resident in
Portland, the capital of the State.

Resolved, that we have the fullest confidence in the
talents, integrity, moral worth, tried patriotism, and unwavering
and unchangeable sterling Democratic National
Republicanism of the Hon. Jack Downing, and that his
election to the office of Governor in September next, and
nothing else, can save the State from total, unutterable,
and irretrievable ruin.

Resolved therefore, that we recommed him to the
electors of this State as a candidate for said office, and
that we will use all fair and honourable means, and, if
necessary, will not stick at some a little dis-honourable,
to secure his election.

Resolved, that we disapprove of personal crimination
and re-crimination in political contests, and therefore
will only say of our opponents, that we think them no
better than they should be, and that they unquestionably
mean to destroy the land we live in.

Resolved, that it be recommended to all the patriotic
democratic national republicans throughout the State, to
be up and doing; to call county meetings, town meetings,
school district meetings, and village and bar-room
meetings, and proceed to organise the party as fast as

possible, by appointing standing committees, and central
committees, and corresponding committees, and bearers
and distributors of handbills; and in short by doing every
thing that the good of the cause and the salvation of
the country requires.

Resolved, conditionally, that in case General Jackson
should be likely to be re-elected, we highly and cordially
approve of his administration, and believe him to
be second to none but Washington; but in case he should
stand no chance of re-election, we resolve him to be the
ignorant tool of a corrupt faction, plotting to destroy the
liberties of the country.

Resolved, that the thanks of this convention be presented
to Miss Abigail Downing, for the use of her
school room this afternoon, she having with a generous
patriotism dismissed her school for that purpose.

Resolved, that the proceedings of this convention,
signed by the chairman and secretary, be published in
the Portland Daily Courier, and the Family Reeder,
the official organs of the Hon. Jack Downing's correspondence,
and any other genuine Democratic National
Republican papers in the State.

JOSHUA DOWNING, Chairman.

Attest: Ephraim Downing, Secretary.

We are assured by Lieutenant Timothy Downing, with
whom we had a short interview, that the best spirit prevailed
in the convention; not a dissenting voice was
heard, and all the resolutions passed unanimously. We
add an extract or two from private letters.

From Ephraim Downing, to the Hon. Jack Downing.

“Well, Jack, if you don't acknowledge we've done
the thing up in style, you're no gentleman and not fit for
Governor. I wish you to be very particular to keep the
Sheriff`s office for me.—Father says cousin Jeremiah
has thrown out some hints that he shall have the Sheriff`s
office. But butter my ristbands, if you do give it to

him you'll go out of office again next year, that's positive.
Jere's a clear factionist, you may rely upon that.
No, no, stick to your old friends, and they'll stick to
you. I'm going to start to-morrow morning on an electioneering
cruise. I shall drum 'em up about right.
You only keep a stiff upper lip, and you'll come in all
hollow.”

From Joshua Downing, Esq. to the Hon. Jack Downing.

“Dear Jack, things look well here; with proper exertions
I think you may rely upon suceess. I am in great
haste, and write this jest to tell you to be sure and not
promise a single office to any mortal living, till I see you.
These things must be managed very prudently, and you
will stand in need of the counsel of your old uncle. I
think I could do as much good to the state by being appointed
Land Agent, as any way; but I'll determine
upon that when I see you.

N. B. Make no promises.

Your affectionate uncle,

JOSHUA.